Tape Application Assembly And Method Of Sealing A Carton

ABSTRACT

A tape application system for sealing a carton. The tape application system comprises a first tape applicator in the path of travel of a carton to be sealed and a second tape applicator in the path of travel of a carton to be sealed. An actuator is operatively connected to at least one of the first tape applicator and the second tape applicator and is for moving the first tape applicator and the second tape applicator relative to the path of travel of the carton to be sealed. A control device is operatively connected to the actuator to initiate actuation of the actuator.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/630,965, filed Dec. 22, 2011.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/630,965,which was filed on Dec. 22, 2011, is incorporated by reference as ifpresented herein in its entirety, for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates generally to packagingmachinery for closing and securing cartons in a closed configuration.More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a tape applicationsystem or other packaging machine for applying sealing tape to a carton,the tape application system having an actuator to facilitate applicationof the sealing tape.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In general, one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a tapeapplication system for sealing a carton. The tape application systemcomprises a first tape applicator in the path of travel of a carton tobe sealed and a second tape applicator in the path of travel of a cartonto be sealed. An actuator is operatively connected to at least one ofthe first tape applicator and the second tape applicator and is formoving the first tape applicator and the second tape applicator relativeto the path of travel of the carton to be sealed. A control device isoperatively connected to actuator to initiate actuation of the actuator.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is generally directed to aretrofit kit for a tape application system having a first tapeapplicator and a second tape applicator. The retrofit kit comprises anactuator for being configured to be operatively connected to at leastone of the first tape applicator and the second tape applicator and formoving the first tape applicator and the second tape applicator relativeto the path of travel of a carton to be sealed. A control device is forbeing operatively connected to the actuator to initiate actuation of theactuator.

In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method ofapplying tape to a carton. The method comprises moving a first tapeapplicator and a second tape applicator simultaneously relative to apath of travel of a carton to be sealed, and dispensing a length ofsealing tape onto the carton in response to moving the first tapeapplicator and the second tape applicator.

In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method ofmodifying a tape application system for sealing a carton. The tapeapplication system has a first tape applicator and a second tapeapplicator. The method comprises obtaining a retrofit kit comprising anactuator and a control device. Operatively connecting the actuator to atleast one of the first tape applicator and the second tape applicator.The actuator being configured for moving the first tape applicator andthe second tape applicator relative to a path of travel of the carton tobe sealed. The method comprises positioning the control device to detectthe presence of the carton to be sealed, and operatively connecting thecontrol device to the actuator to initiate actuation of the actuatorupon detection of the presence of the carton to be sealed.

Other aspects, features, and details of the present disclosure can bemore completely understood by reference to the following detaileddescription of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with thedrawings and from the appended claims.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages andother advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments readingthe following detailed description of the embodiments with reference tothe below-listed drawing figures. Further, the various features of thedrawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensionsof various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded orreduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a tape application system, according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a portion of the tape application systemof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the tape application systemof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a tape application system, according to anadditional embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate travel of a carton through a tape applicationsystem, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbersthroughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure generally relates to packaging machinery forsealing cartons that contain articles such as containers, bottles, cans,etc. The packaging machinery can be a part of a packaging line whereincartons are loaded with articles, closed, and sealed by the applicationof sealing tape.

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view of a tape application system,generally indicated at 1, of a first embodiment of the disclosure. Thetape application system 1 can be generally similar to and/or havesimilar components as conventional tape application systems, such as thecase sealers that are commercially available from Loveshaw, An ITWCompany (see www.loveshaw.com), such as the variety of models of LITTLEDAVID® Case Sealers. Also, case sealers sold by 3M Corporation of St.Paul, Minn., such as the variety of models of 3M-MATIC® Case Sealers,may have similar components or features of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tape application system 1 comprises an uppertape application assembly 3 and a lower tape application assembly 5. Inthe illustrated embodiment, each of the upper tape application assembly3 and the lower tape application assembly 5 has like or similarcomponents and such like or similar components will be identified withidentical reference numbers between the two assemblies. The upper tapeapplication assembly 1 is for applying sealing tape 7 to the upperportion of the front end FE of a carton C, the top T of the carton, andthe upper portion of the back end BE of the carton. The lower tapeapplication assembly 3 is for applying sealing tape 7 to the lowerportion of the front end FE of the carton C, the bottom B of the carton,and the lower portion of the back end BE of the carton. Both the uppertape application assembly 1 and the lower tape application assembly 3apply sealing tape 7 to the carton C as the carton is moved between thetape application assemblies on a packaging line 11 in the direction ofarrow A1. The packaging line 11 can be part of a larger packaging linethat assembles the carton C through various folding steps, or thepackaging line can be a smaller packaging line that receives theassembled cartons from the larger packaging line that assembles and/orloads the cartons. In one embodiment, the packaging line 11 is aconveyor belt that transports the cartons C through the tape applicationassemblies 3, 5 but the packaging line could be other article movementmechanisms (e.g., cooperating belts that contact a respective side ofthe cartons C, rollers, etc.) without departing from the disclosure. Inother embodiments, one of the upper or lower tape assemblies 3, 5 couldbe omitted so that the tape application system 1 includes only a single(upper or lower) tape application assembly.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper and lower tape application assemblies 3, 5include a base or housing 15. A tape support bracket 17 is mounted tothe housing 15 and includes a roll 19 of sealing tape 7 mounted above orbelow the base 15. The sealing tape 7 can be any conventional type ofsealing tape used to close cartons or any other suitable sealing tape.Each of the tape application assemblies 3, 5 include two tapeapplicators 22, 24 that are pivotably mounted to the base 15. The tapeapplicator 22 is located in the upstream direction closest to the entryof the incoming carton C to be sealed, and the tape applicator 24 islocated in the downstream direction closest to the exit of the cartonthat is leaving the tape application system 1. Each tape applicator 22,24 includes a roller 25, 27 rotatably mounted at a respective end of thetape application arm 21, 23. Each of the upstream rollers 25 has tape 7in contact therewith so that the upstream rollers initiate applicationof the tape to the carton C upon entry of the carton into the assemblies3, 5. The tape application arms 21, 23 are operatively connected by anarm linkage 29. The upstream connecting arms 21 are pivotable in thedirection of arrow A2 to raise or lower the upstream connecting arms,and the downstream connecting arms 23 are pivotable in the direction ofarrow A3 to raise or lower the downstream connecting arms. The armlinkage 29 causes both the upstream tape application arm 21 and thedownstream tape application arm 23 of a respective taper assembly 3, 5to pivot (e.g., to be raised or lowered) at the same time uponinitiation of pivoting of one of the connecting arms. The tapeapplicators 22, 24 could be alternatively configured such that each arm21, 23 is independently raised or lowered without departing from thedisclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1 each tape application assembly 3, 5 includes acontrol valve 33 (broadly “control device”) having a control valveactuator 35 that is connected to the control valve. In one embodiment,the control valve 33 is a Model No. 201-C air valve manufactured byIngersoll-Rand Company and commercially available from W.W. Grainger,Inc. as Item No. 2F893. The control valve 33 could be any other suitablevalve without departing from the disclosure. In the illustratedembodiments, the control valve 33 is connected to a compressed airsupply 37 via compressed air piping 39.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a tape arm actuator 41 is operativelyconnected to the control valve 33 via compressed air piping 43. In theillustrated embodiment, the tape arm actuator 41 is operativelyconnected to the downstream tape arm 23 via a linkage 45. In oneembodiment, the tape arm actuator 41 can be an air cylinder having a ¾inch bore, 2 inch (50 mm) stroke such as Model No. 6W100 SPEEDAIRE® aircylinder commercially available from W.W. Grainger, Inc. Alternatively,the tape arm actuator could have a 3 inch (75 mm) stroke and be a ModelNo. 6W133 SPEEDAIRE® air cylinder commercially available from W.W.Grainger, Inc. Alternatively, the tape arm actuator 41 could be an aircylinder having an alternative size (e.g., bore, stroke, etc.) or couldbe a different type of actuator (e.g., electric operated cylinder,motor, hydraulic cylinder, or any other mechanical actuator). Also, thetape arm actuator 41 could be otherwise positioned to act on the tapearm 23, or the actuator could be positioned to act on the tape arm 21without departing from the disclosure.

In one exemplary embodiment, a method of closing a carton C is providedwherein tape 7 is applied to the carton to close the carton. FIGS. 5-7generally illustrate the method of closing the carton C that isdescribed with relation to the parts and components shown in FIG. 1. Thecarton C enters the tape application system 1 via packaging line 11 andthe front end FE of the carton contacts the roller 25 of the upper andlower upstream tape arm 21. The roller 25 applies tape to the front endFE of the carton C. Upon contact of the upstream rollers 25, the controlvalve 33 is actuated by contact of the carton with the control valveactuator 35. The actuation of the control valve 33 causes compressed airto flow to the tape arm actuator 41 which extends arm 47 of each tapearm actuator in the direction of arrows A4. The extension of the arm 47causes the downstream tape arm 23 to pivot in the direction of arrow A3.Because the upstream tape arm 21 is operatively connected to the trailtape arm 23 by linkage 29, the extension of the arms 47 also causes thesimultaneous pivoting of the upstream tape arm 21 in the direction ofarrow A2. The actuation of the actuator 41 causes simultaneous movementof the first tape applicator 22 and the second tape applicator 24relative to the path of travel of the carton C.

FIG. 6 shows the tape application system 1 after initial actuation ofthe tape arm actuator 41. In one embodiment, the pivoting of the tapearms 21, 23 of the first and second tape applicators 22, 24 positionsthe lead roller 25 of the upper tape application assembly 3 in contactwith the top T of the carton C as the carton moves through the tapeapplication system 1 in the direction of arrow A1, and positions thelead roller 25 of the lower tape application assembly 5 in contact withthe bottom B of the carton C as the carton moves through the tapeapplication system. In this way tape 7 can be dispensed from the rolls19 and applied to the carton extending up or down at least a portion ofthe front end FE of the carton C and across the top T or bottom B of thecarton to secure top or bottom flaps together in a closed position.

As the carton C travels in the direction of arrow A1 and passes asufficient distance through the tape application system 1, the controlvalve 33 is deactivated by movement of the control valve actuator 35caused by the carton being out of contact with the control valveactuator. The deactivation of the control valve 33 causes the compressedair flow to the tape arm actuator 41 to stop and the arm 47 to retract.The retraction of the arm 47 causes the tape arms 21, 23 of the tapeapplicators 22, 24 to pivot in the directions opposite arrows A2, A3 sothat the rollers 25, 27 are lowered (for the upper tape assembly 3) orraised (for the lower tape assembly 5). As shown in FIG. 7, thedownstream roller 27 contacts the back end B of the carton C to pressagainst the sealing tape 7 that has been applied so that the sealingtape is secured to the back end of the carton C. The closed and sealedcarton C continues down the packaging line 11 for further handling.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show various components of the tape application system 1described above.

FIG. 4 illustrates a tape application system 1 of a second embodiment.The second embodiment is generally similar to the first embodiment, andlike or similar reference numbers will be used to indicate like orsimilar components shown in the two embodiments. In the secondembodiment, the control valve 33 with control valve actuator 35 has beenreplaced by control valve 33 a that is activated by an upstreamphotoelectric sensor 51 and a downstream photoelectric sensor 53. Eachof the photoelectric sensors 51 is operatively connected to the controlvalve 33 a by wiring 34, indicated schematically on FIG. 4, to provideindication of the presence or lack of presence of the carton C in theline of sight of each respective sensor. Dashed lines 57, 59 indicatethat line of transmission from a respective sensor 51, 53 that can by alight beam or other type of transmission (e.g., infrared, photoelectric,etc.) without departing from the disclosure. Further, the sensors 51, 53are shown mounted on the support or housing 15 of the tape applicationassemblies 3, 5, but the sensors 51, 53 could be otherwise mountedand/or positioned without departing from the disclosure. The sensors 51,53 can be any suitable photoelectric sensor or switch or any other typeof sensor for detecting the location of the carton C. In an alternativeembodiment, the sensors 51, 53 can be oriented to direct a respectiveline of transmission across the packaging line (e.g., generallyperpendicular to the line of travel A1 on the packaging line).

In one embodiment of a method of applying tape 7 to the carton 7, whenthe upstream sensor 51 of each tape application assembly 3, 5 senses thepresence of the carton C on the packaging line 11, and a signal is sentto the control valve 33 a to provide compressed air to the tape armactuator 41 to actuate and pivot the tape arms 21, 23 to raise (uppertape assembly 3) or lower (lower tape assembly 5) the tape arms in asimilar manner as the first embodiment. The carton C is further conveyedthrough the tape application system 1 with tape 7 being applied to thefront end FE and top T of the carton in a similar manner as the previousembodiment. Once the front end FE of the carton C is advanced on thepackaging line 11 to the downstream sensors 53, the downstream sensors33 a sense that the back end BE of the carton has passed the sensors andsend a corresponding signal to the control valve 35 to stop the flow ofcompressed air to the tape arm actuator 41 to lower (upper tape assembly3) or raise (lower tape assembly 5) the tape arms 21, 23 in a similarmanner as the first embodiment. Tape 7 is then applied to the back endBE of the carton C and is secured to the carton by contact with thedownstream rollers 27.

In one embodiment, the components of the tape application system can besupplied in a retrofit kit to be installed on an existing tapeapplication system. In one embodiment, one or more of the components inthe retrofit can include the tape arm actuator 41, the control valve 33,and the control valve actuator 35. Further, the retrofit kit canoptionally include the linkage 29 that is for operatively connecting thetape arms 21, 23, and the linkage 47 for connecting the actuator 41 tothe one of the tape arms 21, 23. Alternatively, the retrofit kit caninclude compressed air piping 39 or any other part or item that isneeded to install the components of the kit on the tape applicationsystem. Further, multiple retrofit kits could be supplied forinstallation one both upper and lower tape application assembly of anexisting tape application system.

A retrofit kit for installation on an existing tape application systemcould include one or more components of the second embodiment, such astape arm actuator 41, control valve 33 a, sensors 51, 53, linkages 29,47, and/or any other components (e.g., compressed air piping 38, wiring34) that could be used to install the components of the retrofit kit.

In one embodiment, the disclosure can be directed to a method ofmodifying an existing tape application system having a first tapeapplicator 22 and a second tape applicator 24. The method can compriseobtaining a retrofit kit including the tape arm actuator and the controlvalve or device 33 or 33 a, operatively connecting the actuator 41 to atleast one of the first tape applicator 22 and the second tape applicator24, positioning the control device to detect the presence of the cartonC to be sealed, and operatively connecting the control device to theactuator to initiate actuation of the actuator upon detection of thepresence of the carton to be sealed. In one embodiment, the controlvalve 33 with actuator 35 can be installed to sense the presence of thecarton C and control actuation of the actuator 41. Alternatively, thecontrol valve 33 a with sensors 51, 53 can be installed to sense thepresence of the carton C and control actuation of the actuator 41. Theretrofit kit can include any of the components listed above (e.g.,linkages 47, 29, compressed air piping 33, wiring 34, etc.) and themethod of modifying the tape application system can comprise installingany of the components included in the retrofit kit without departingfrom the scope of this disclosure.

The tape application system 1 or retrofit kit of any of the illustratedor non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure could have otherfeatures, or the features shown and described could be otherwisepositioned without departing from the disclosure.

The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describesvarious embodiments. As various changes could be made in the aboveconstruction without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosurecovers various modifications, combinations, alterations, etc., of theabove-described embodiments. Additionally, the disclosure shows anddescribes only selected embodiments, but various other combinations,modifications, and environments are within the scope of the disclosureas expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/orwithin the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certainfeatures and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectivelyinterchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustratedembodiments of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tape application system for sealing a carton,comprising: a first tape applicator in a path of travel of a carton tobe sealed; a second tape applicator in the path of travel of a carton tobe sealed; an actuator operatively connected to at least one of thefirst tape applicator and the second tape applicator for moving thefirst tape applicator and the second tape applicator relative to thepath of travel of the carton to be sealed; and a control deviceoperatively connected to the actuator to initiate actuation of theactuator.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is operativelyconnected to the first tape applicator and the second tape applicator.3. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a housing; a tape supportbracket operatively connected to the housing; and a roll of sealing tapesupported by the tape support bracket, the roll of sealing tapecomprises at least one length of sealing tape.
 4. The system of claim 3,wherein the first tape applicator comprises: a tape application armpivotally connected to the housing having a distal end; and a rollerconnected to the distal end of the tape application arm, the rollerbeing positioned to apply at least a portion of the at least one lengthof sealing tape to a carton.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the firsttape applicator further comprises: a linkage operatively connected tothe tape application arm and the actuator.
 6. The system of claim 5,wherein the tape application arm is a first tape application arm,wherein the roller is a first roller, and wherein the second tapeapplicator comprises: a second tape application arm pivotally connectedto the housing having a distal end; and a second roller connected to thedistal end of the second tape application arm, the second roller beingpositioned to apply at least a portion of the at least one length ofsealing tape to the carton.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the secondtape application arm is operative to press at least a portion of the atleast one length of sealing tape against a surface of the carton.
 8. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the linkage is a first linkage and the systemfurther comprises a second linkage operatively connected to the firsttape application arm and the second tape application arm.
 9. The systemof claim 8, wherein the actuator is configured to pivot the firstlinkage to move the first tape application arm and the movement of thefirst tape application arm causing the second tape application arm tomove simultaneously via the second linkage.
 10. The system of claim 1,wherein the actuator comprises an air cylinder actuated by compressedair.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the control device comprises acontrol valve and a control valve actuator configured to initiateactuation of the actuator in response to presence of the carton to besealed.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the control device comprises:a control valve and a photo-sensitive detector configured to initiateactuation of the actuator in response to presence of the carton to besealed.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a firstactuator and wherein the control device is a first control device, thesystem further comprising: a third tape applicator in a path of travelof the carton to be sealed and a fourth tape applicator in the path oftravel of the carton to be sealed; a second actuator operativelyconnected to at least one of the third tape applicator and the fourthtape applicator for moving the third tape applicator and the fourth tapeapplicator relative to the path of travel of the carton to be sealed;and a second control device operatively connected to the second actuatoroperative to initiate actuation of the second actuator and dispensing ofa second length of sealing tape.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein thefirst tape applicator and the second tape applicator are located abovethe path of travel of the carton, and the third tape applicator and thefourth tape applicator are located below the path of travel of thecarton.
 15. A retrofit kit for a tape application system, the tapeapplication system having a first tape applicator and a second tapeapplicator, the retrofit kit comprising: an actuator for beingconfigured to be operatively connected to at least one of the first tapeapplicator and the second tape applicator and for moving the first tapeapplicator and the second tape applicator relative to the path of travelof a carton to be sealed; and a control device for being operativelyconnected to the actuator to initiate actuation of the actuator.
 16. Theretrofit kit of claim 15, wherein the first tape applicator comprises: atape application arm pivotally connected to the housing having a distalend; and a roller connected to the distal end of the tape applicationarm, the roller being positioned to apply at least a portion of at leastone length of sealing tape to a carton.
 17. The retrofit kit of claim16, further comprising a linkage operatively connected to the tapeapplication arm and the actuator.
 18. The retrofit kit of claim 17,wherein the tape application arm is a first tape application arm,wherein the roller is a first roller, and wherein the second tapeapplicator comprises: a second tape application arm pivotally connectedto the housing having a distal end; and a second roller connected to thedistal end of the second tape application arm, the second roller beingpositioned to apply at least a portion of at least one length of sealingtape to the carton.
 19. The retrofit kit of claim 18, wherein thelinkage is a first linkage and the retrofit kit further comprises asecond linkage for being operatively connected to the first tapeapplication arm and the second tape application arm.
 20. The retrofitkit of claim 15, wherein the actuator comprises an air cylinder forbeing actuated by compressed air.
 21. The retrofit kit of claim 15,wherein the control device comprises: a control valve and a controlvalve actuator for being configured to initiate actuation of theactuator in response to presence of the carton to be sealed.
 22. Theretrofit kit of claim 15, wherein the control device comprises: acontrol valve and a photo-sensitive detector for being configured toinitiate actuation of the actuator in response to presence of the cartonto be sealed.
 23. The retrofit kit of claim 15, further comprising: ahousing; a tape support bracket for being operatively connected to thehousing; and a roll of sealing tape for being supported by the tapesupport bracket, the roll of sealing tape comprises at least one lengthof sealing tape.
 24. A method of applying tape to a carton, comprising:moving a first tape applicator and a second tape applicatorsimultaneously relative to a path of travel of a carton to be sealed;dispensing a length of sealing tape onto the carton in response tomoving the first tape applicator and the second tape applicator.
 25. Themethod of claim 24, wherein moving the first tape applicator and thesecond tape applicator comprises: actuating an actuator in response tothe presence of the carton, the actuator operatively connected to atleast one of the first tape applicator and the second tape applicatorfor moving the first tape applicator and the second tape applicatorrelative to the path of travel of the carton to be sealed.
 26. Themethod of claim 25, wherein the actuating the actuator comprisestriggering a control device operatively connected to the actuator toinitiate actuation of the actuator.
 27. The method of claim 26, whereinthe actuator comprises an air cylinder actuated by compressed air. 28.The method of claim 26, wherein the control device comprises a controlvalve and a photo-sensitive detector configured to initiate actuation ofthe actuator in response to the location of the carton.
 29. The methodof claim 26 wherein the control device comprises a control valve and acontrol valve actuator configured to initiate actuation of the actuatorin response to the location of the carton.
 30. A method of modifying atape application system for sealing a carton, the tape applicationsystem having a first tape applicator and a second tape applicator, themethod comprising: obtaining a retrofit kit comprising an actuator and acontrol device; operatively connecting the actuator to at least one ofthe first tape applicator and the second tape applicator, the actuatorbeing configured for moving the first tape applicator and the secondtape applicator relative to a path of travel of the carton to be sealed;positioning the control device to detect the presence of the carton tobe sealed; and operatively connecting the control device to the actuatorto initiate actuation of the actuator upon detection of the presence ofthe carton to be sealed.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the retrofitincludes a first linkage and a second linkage, the method comprisesconnecting the first linkage to the actuator and one of the first andsecond tape applicators and connecting the second linkage to the firsttape applicator and the second tape applicator.
 32. The method of claim30 wherein the control device comprises a control valve and a controlvalve actuator, the method comprises positioning the control valveactuator relative to a path of travel of the carton to be sealed todetect the presence of the carton.
 33. The method of claim 30 whereinthe control device comprises a control valve and a photo-sensitivedetector, the method comprises positioning the photo-sensitive detectorrelative to a path of travel of the carton to be sealed to detect thepresence of the carton.